The Law and Public Service Academy at Pasadena High School (PHS) will hold a grand opening ceremony October 14, 2015 for its new L.A. County Teen Court, part of the Superior Court’s community outreach program that offers valuable lessons for high school students on the daily operations of the courts and the justice system.

Law and Public Service Academy students will participate as jurors, clerks, and bailiffs in Teen Court, which diverts youthful offenders who commit low-level offenses from the traditional justice system,replacing judges and attorneys with peers from other schools who question, judge and sentence alleged offenders. Teen Courts, which are located at schools throughout L.A. County, provide a more meaningful court experience for offenders and for student volunteers.

The Law and Public Service Academy at PHS is a four-year college preparatory program specifically designed for students with interest in careers in law, government or protective services. Shaped with substantial input from secondary and post-secondary educators and professionals in the law, law enforcement and advocacy fields, the curriculum integrates the traditionally isolated fields of law and law enforcement, social justice, and academic and career technical education. A formal partnership with the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce connects students with local professionals in relevant fields and provides mentoring and internships.

Now in its fourth year, 155 students are currently enrolled in the PHS Law and Public Service Academy. The first group of seniors participated in summer internships this year at the Ronald McDonald House and local law firms that specialize in employment discrimination and immigration law.